Description
1949 MG TC - Extensive ‘fresh frame’ restoration
Part exchanges of any age/ value are welcomed, I can assist with trailered delivery in the UK and Europe and offer worldwide shipping.
I offer extended warranty cover including ‘unlimited repairs, roadside assistance & recover, car hire and onward travel’ for up to 36 months through Warrantywise’s classic car warranty plan (please ask for policy documentation if of interest)
Overview:
Subject to a body off restoration since 2016, with a new frame, fresh panels and comprehensive mechanical/ electrical overhaul.
Extensive records of photographs and invoices totaling over £15, 000 (most of which are parts alone therefore not inclusive of labour!)
It has just returned from a bare metal respray in Ivory with Red wheels, radiator grille and body piping making for a very fresh and striking looking car in person.
On the road it’s as good as any T-Type I’ve driven! Thanks to a rebuild, the engine is strong with a quiet driveline, the replacement clutch bites correctly, all gears engage well and it stops as it should. A Tomkins steering kit and re-built dampers mean the steering is tight and it holds the road very well.
History:
Factory build records show TC10001 was built on the 20th October 1949, making it one of the last 250 to leave Abingdon, and proves that it is a matching numbers car given that it still retains it’s original engine XPAG10655.
In 2014 it was imported back home to the UK by MG XPAG LTD from the Beverley Hills Car Club in Los Angeles, California. During my research I found the sales advert which described it as “very presentable weekend driver and great find as MG-TC’s are becoming increasingly harder to come across, has been in California car for many years and is mechanically sound.” It was finished in its presumably original colour of Ivory with a brown interior rather than the Regency Red or Shires Green from factory.
It’s first UK owner wasted no time in starting a complete restoration, there is a vast amount of invoices and photographs showing the extent of the rebuild please see further sections for more specifics. Major points to note were a new ash frame and all panels taken back to bare metal or replaced before being refinished in Shires Green.
Exterior:
We have just had a bare metal respray returning the car to (what we believe is) its original colour of Ivory, with Red contrasts. The wheels were re-finished in Red, arguably not period correct and easily changed, but we think makes a striking difference and really brightens up the car!
During its restoration the majority of the chrome work was replaced, including headlamps, driving light and horn.
A new stainless steel luggage rack was fitted and the radiator was re-chromed.
Moss Europe supplied a Tan hood and sidescreens which are in excellent condition and fits very well. They are made from a canvas based material called stay fast and use the original factory jigs and are described as the closest you can get to the original.
Interior:
During its restoration most of the interior was replaced to include a Honey Tan nylon tufted carpet set and a full trim kit (side panels) in Biscuit leather. Fresh seat squabs & cushions were covered with Biscuit leather covers. The dash was re-wired and new speedometer & tacho were installed and a fresh dash bead was used when re-fitted. A side note is the the surprising accuracy of the new speedo, a new speedo cable was used but ‘hats off’ to whoever calibrated it!
Maintenance/ Mechanical:
There is a huge amount of invoices showing replacement parts throughout the car, arguably too many to list, but an overview of significant items follows.
The engine was stripped, and the low compression made good with fresh seals and gaskets fitted. The carburettor was re-built with fresh jets etc. A new water pump, inlet manifold and water pump were fitted and the radiator was re-cored. Replacement wiring loom, voltage regulator and electric fuel pump were fitted.
The chassis shows no signs of corrosion, brake pipes and underbody fixings look as new.
